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Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez will headline Not Alone, an Illumination animated adventure that pits awkward romance against interstellar mischief. The project marks Chalamet’s first voice role in animation and lands from the studio behind Despicable Me and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
What Not Alone is about: an alien caper with a heart
The story centers on Joe, a reserved rocket mechanic, and Fran, an inventive astro-botanist building a plant-powered launch vehicle. Their professional partnership quickly sparks awkward chemistry.
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Complication arrives when three pint-sized extraterrestrials take refuge in Joe’s home. The aliens—mischievous, lovable, and desperate—see Fran’s rocket as their ticket home. A bumbling law officer named Zandro pursues them across planets, raising the stakes for the fledgling crew.
Main voice cast and who plays whom
- Timothée Chalamet voices Joe, the introverted mechanic.
- Selena Gomez is Fran, the plant-fueled rocket scientist.
- Rob Brydon lends his voice to Dunk, one of the runaway aliens.
- Diane Morgan voices Welly, another of the trio.
- Jamie Demetriou plays Shirm, completing the alien trio.
- Brett Goldstein appears as Officer Zandro, the determined pursuer.
- Supporting roles include Allison Janney and Lamorne Morris.
Creative team behind Illumination’s new release
Not Alone is co-directed by a trio of Illumination veterans. Eric Guillon, Claire Dodgson and Jonathan Del Val guide the film. Their credits span Despicable Me, Minions and The Secret Life of Pets franchises.
Producers and executive producers
- Producer: Chris Meledandri, founder and CEO of Illumination.
- Executive producers: Joy Poirel, Richard Curtis and David Distenfeld.
Announcement and festival debut details
Illumination revealed the project at the Annecy Animation Festival. The studio used the high-profile event to unveil voice casting and early plot details. Universal Pictures also promoted the film via social channels.
When Not Alone reaches theaters and what to expect
The film is scheduled to hit cinemas on April 16, 2027. Expect family-friendly humor, visual gags, and a central emotional thread about connection and belonging.
- Studio: Illumination
- Distributor: Universal Pictures
- Genre: Animated family adventure / sci-fi comedy
- Release date: April 16, 2027
Context: Illumination’s recent momentum
Illumination recently premiered its latest Minions installment at Annecy. Critics noted the sequel sharpened the series’ creative idea while keeping its trademark chaos. The studio’s strong festival presence helped build buzz for Not Alone.
